Zweiter Weltkrieg/ World War 2
There were raids happening for weeks trying to find those who were Jewish. Johnny was one of them. He was of polish descent and was sent into hiding like many other children during this time. Although he is polish since he has been hiding in a catholic orphanage on the border of Germany he has been able to learn some German so he can speak to the other kids around him. At this point it has been recorded that at least half a million kids have been eradicated and about a half a million were about to meet their maker soon. Johnny was one of five children who were Jewish that were hiding in the church. If they were to be found out the church and others around them were going to be punished. But this group of people did not care. They wanted the children no matter what religious descent to be safe. Through this love and kindness he was able to find God and found that refuge in Him could only keep him safe now. His parents were already killed about 4 months prior to this moment and it was during one of the house raids of Hitler's regime. All he remembers his mother saying was, "Uciec" which is a polish term for run away. He turned out of fear and ran and hid in a hole already dug in the backyard and he covered dirt on top of himself to hide from the Nazis. He heard the Nazis speaking from under the dirt.
Children
"Wo ist dein Kind?"
" Es ist ganz sicher, Sie brauchen keine Angst zu haben."
He could not understand most of what was said but he did know the word Angst meant afraid in German. He felt like they were trying to say he was safe and he shouldn't worry. Johnny was a smart ten year old and knew that he shouldn't feel safe at all.
After a considerable amount of time had passed he picked up his head from under the ground. Johnny heard his parents scream go from loud to soft. He was scared and dirt and tears were all over his sweet innocent face. The soldiers said, "Heil Hitler." Then sped off from what he could make of the surroundings from the dirt hole. Johnny's next move had to be discreet but he did not know what to do. He looked over at another family that was in a hole and decided to make a run for it. He knew they had to be nice for the fear in their eyes is the most familiar face he knows now for he wears the same one.
In Sicherheit/ In Safety
One, two and three and he began crawling out of the hole and running towards the backyard and through the barbed fence that stood between the yards. Johnny arrived at the hole and jumped in. In this big hole that was dug there was two small children like him and the parents were in the hole next to him. The mother and father were headed to a catholic church that they know are hiding Jewish. The family was waiting for the signs be clear of the Nazis and for night to fall.
As Johnny looked at the door of the catholic church he wondered where he be if he did not find this German family and if he did not take the leap of faith running to them. The war was over soon and soon he will be able to begin his new life. The family decided to adopt him and make him a part of their family. The lives of the 6 million who died will rest in paradise from this awful event. All Johnny knows is that because of the refuge he experiences in his God he has the path that he needs to follow.
Child in hiding
Author's Note:
I wrote my story based off the comic "Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: The Miracle Messenger of Love." The story is about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who showed a simple path to God when they were under place of strict Muslim rule. He provided a new way of seeing Hindu religion. There was a quote that said, " Forsaking all dogmas of religion, take refuge in me." His message is to show that this religion is the way to all safety. I used this as part of my story by allowing my character to be of Jewish descent yet truly finding his God when he finally takes refuge in Him. I first thought of World War 2 because I know a lot of soldiers or people impacted by the war find a God usually. The idea of a protector during war is seen as comforting to people who are in the midst of danger. I felt like World War 2 was a big indication of the fear that was instilled within people of this religious background. I know because I have studied German and the language that there were many people who opposed the Hitler and also did something about it. I used stories I have heard from Holocaust survivors I met when I was younger and with the history I know about Germany to make my story. I was told a story about a survivor who really did hide in a hole for two weeks to hide from the Nazi soldiers that would come in and raid homes. I wanted this to be the focal point to show that with God at Johnny's side he was able to be safe and even found a family. This relates to the comic I read because they both relate to God and how religion tends to save people.
References:
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: The Miracle Messenger of Love
Normally when I read author’s notes, I feel like they’re bonus material: interesting, but not all that crucial to the story itself. But with this story, I actually felt like the note was as important as the story itself. The way you were able to tell such a powerful story by switching the original tale’s religions around shows how well they both tap into what it means to be human, I think. It’s also so cool that you based this off of real-life WWII experiences you’ve been told about; that might’ve been my favorite part. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteAnna, I love the elements that you added into this story. You have some dialogue in a different language than the one that the story is written in. This would be completely normal for someone fighting overseas where English is not the native language. World War II is my favorite war to learn about and I really like the description your story goes through to tell what is happening. Great job!
ReplyDeleteHi Anna. It is so interesting that you turned this story into one about WW2! I liked that you included the different language and the pictures throughout. It really added a cool element to the story. One thing that could have been good is if you added more dialogue other than the dialogue at the beginning. It would be a good way to introduce the characters and what is happening in the scene! Overall, really cool story!
ReplyDeleteHi Anna,
ReplyDeleteThe story alone read quite fast. For the author's notes, I agree with Jenna above; it is just as crucial as the story. That's what we want to see actually: that the notes you leave for the story better help us understand what you are trying to say, portray and have us feel in your story. I think your authors note did just that. As for the rest of your story, it felt a little short for me, but that could have just been because I was interested in it highly. I do wish there was either a bit more dialogue, in either English or Deutsch, or that the story dove into a specific scene a little more. But his was more of an overview story, like you mentioned.